Untitled; It doesn't need a name to be famous.

Chapter 8 - Please Swipe Your Card Here

"Good morning shoppers! There's five days before Christmas, so make sure you stock up on those deals and steals for your loved-ones!"

Damn, I'll never understand how people can be so damn chipper in the morning, it drives me nuts. As planned, I decided to get my ass out of bed at eight o'clock expecting to take the whole day shopping. Since Nicole won't be here until ten tonight, I calculated, I should have about until seven to get back home, pack, and check in with family and friends.

Bending down, I scan the prices of the salad, crinkling my nose at the varying numbers running up an down the shelf. But...on the bottom shelf on my right, I couldn't help but stare at the brownies. I could just change out my implants, they wouldn't stain and no one would notice! NO! No sweets for you! You're gonna be on the road late tonight, you're gonna need all the energy you can use!

Hah...Who the fuck am I fooling? I quickly snatch the brownies off the shelf and hide it from myself at the bottom of my cart. Mom would be so proud to see how much her baby girl has grown. 

Two bags of salad should last me until next week, maybe. I toss the packages into my cart and turn the corner sharply, using the shelf to direct my momentum. Huh, I guess that happy shopper person rubbed off on me, I was suddenly in a good mood. And that, folks, never means good things.

"Hey."

I bang the top of my head on the underside of the  rack as I hopped up from the ball of my foot. Rubbing my scalp, I turn to look up at the voice and HELLO! Can you say white hair?!

"Oh! Are you all right?" Kamyrin takes my hand and helps me to my feet. I shoo him away as I  soon found balance. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." he laughs. I'll bet he's getting a kick out of our encounters, huh? OH, WAIT! He probably thinks I'm stalking him or something! Gah, good going Retro, now you've gone and done it!

"Thanks." I reply reluctantly. He bent over to pick up the  bag I had dropped and stretched to put it back. He was wearing Justin Bieber-esque jeans and a red and black flannel, something like my old friend Mark would wear. This was just a casual day and he was looking like he was ready for a Friday night, all while I have on no makeup, no shorts, and may or may not be wearing a bra underneath my hoodie. 

"Ya know, I'm really starting to think you're stalking me..." I break the silence between us. 

"Me? Following you?" He shoots back. "That's rich." I'm getting turned on by that voice of his again, but was I gonna say this out loud? HELL NO!

"Yeah, well um, I've got to get shopping, so...."

"Wait! Uh, this is kinda unfair. You know my name, but I don't know your's...?"

I slap my forehead and let out a deep breath. I reluctantly grab his hand and shake it. "It's Retro."

"Nice to meet you,  Retro."

You would think a good looking guy like himself would take a hint, or at least know his place. 

Guess I'm the one who needs to make the a move here.

"Any reason why you're here?" 

"Yeah! I gotta go Christmas shopping for uh..." he trails off and thinks he can avoid my eyes.

"For who?"

He cringes. "My boyfriend. Jaden."

"Ah! Gift hunting? See, that's my cup of tea!" I grab his arm and lead him from the front, not wanting him to see my face of distress. "What's he into?" I ask.

"Um...what do you get the person who has everything?"

"I dunno?" I quickly put some tortilla chips in my cart and pretend to be deep in thought. "Is there anything he does on the constant?"